Travel Guides
All Major Credit/Debit Cards Accepted
Iceland Travel Guide
|
Iceland Climate and Weather
As its name suggests, Iceland is cold, but not as cold as might be expected because of the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. The summer temperatures in Reykjavík range from 41°F (5°C) at night to as high as 77°F (25°C) during the day. The average January temperature is 31°F (-0.5°C). The south is the wettest part of the country, but snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy. During the summer months there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. From mid-November until the end of January, in the darkness of winter, the opposite is true, with the country only experiencing a few hours of daylight each day. The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter.Iceland Currency
Money: The unit of currency is the Icelandic Króna (ISK), plural krónur, divided into 100 aurar. Iceland's three banks, Íslandsbanki, Landsbanki Ísland and Búnaðarbanki, all offer foreign exchange facilities and can be found in even the tiniest villages. Most have ATMs on their premises, available after banking hours, which are usually Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 4pm. Credit cards are widely used in Iceland for purchases and cash advances, and travellers cheques are accepted by all banks and most hotels. Travellers cheques in US Dollars get the best exchange rate charges.Currency Exchange Rates | |||||||
| ISK 1 = | US$ 0.02 | £ 0.01 | C$ 0.02 | A$ 0.02 | R 0.11 | EUR 0.01 | NZ$ 0.02 |
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Iceland Health Overview
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Iceland, and no vaccinations are necessary for entry unless you are arriving from an area known to be infected with yellow fever, in which case a certificate is required. An influenza vaccination is recommended to those travelling the country from November through April. Medical care in the country is of high quality. Payment is usually expected in cash from visitors. Travel health insurance is highly recommended. A reciprocal agreement exists with the UK. British citizens should bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them from home to ensure having the cost of any emergency treatment covered.Iceland Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months. That period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen agreement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.Entry requirements for UK nationals:British citizens require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months if holding a British passport, endorsed British Citizen, British National Overseas or British Overseas Territories Citizen. In all other cases, a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians:Canadians require a passport, valid until after 3 months of intended stay in Iceland. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:Australians require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans:South Africans must have a valid passport and a Schengen visa is required.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:Irish citizens require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:New Zealand citizens require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note:All visitors to Iceland require a passport valid for at least three months after their intended stay. Return or onward tickets, all documents for the next destination and sufficient funds are necessary for entry into the country. Iceland is party to the Schengen Agreement together with Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Germany. The agreement, in principal, allows for travel between these countries on a multiple entry Schengen Visa.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Iceland Basics
Time: GMT.Electricity: Iceland's electricity supply is 220 volts, 50Hz, the same as in most European countries. Plugs and sockets are of the two-pin type as in Continental Europe.
Language: Icelandic, but English is widely spoken.
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Iceland, and no vaccinations are necessary for entry unless you are arriving from an area known to be infected with yellow fever, in which case a certificate is required. An influenza vaccination is recommended to those travelling the country from November through April. Medical care in the country is of high quality. Payment is usually expected in cash from visitors. Travel health insurance is highly recommended. A reciprocal agreement exists with the UK. British citizens should bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them from home to ensure having the cost of any emergency treatment covered.
Tipping: Service charges are included in bills and tipping is not expected.
Safety: Iceland is an extremely safe country to visit, the only threats being a low level of petty crime and rapidly changing weather conditions, which necessitate keeping a check if you are on the road.
Customs: Smoking in bars, restaurants and on public transport is illegal.
Business: Most business in Iceland tends to take place in the capital, Reykjavik. Business meetings tend to be formal, with smart dress essential. It is worth handing out business cards, and initial greetings are usually accompanied by a handshake. Meetings are usually conducted in English when dealing with foreigners. It is worth noting that Icelanders generally go by their first name, as surnames largely do not exist; most people have a patronymic, a name formed from their father's first name followed by -son (son) or -dóttir (daughter). Telephone directory listings are alphabetical by first name. Business hours are usually from 8am to 4pm (summer) and 9am to 5pm (winter). Most offices are closed on weekends.
Communications: The international country code for Iceland is +354. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g., 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not in use. Note that Icelanders are listed by their first name in the telephone directory, not the last. Iceland has the highest per capital mobile phone use in the world with GSM networks and there are roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies. Iceland Telecom rents mobile phones to visitors. There are numerous Internet cafes around the country.
Duty Free: Travellers to Iceland over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products. Travellers over 20 years are also allowed 1 litre spirits and 1 litre wine, or 1 litre spirits and 6 litres beer; or 1 litre wine and 6 litres beer; or 2.25 litres wine; and food items up to 3kg not exceeding kr13000. Permits from Post & Telecom Authorities are required for cordless phones, remote controls or radio transmitters, but not for a GSM mobile phone. Prohibited items include narcotics and drugs, meat products, weapons and powdered or moist snuff.
Iceland Airports
Keflavik International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 31 miles (50km) southwest of Reykjavik.Time: GMT.
Contacts: Tel: +354 425 6010.
Transfer to the city: The inexpensive Flybus service leaves Keflavík Airport 35-40 minutes after the arrival of each flight. The Flybus terminal in Reykjavík is at Hotel Loftleiðir and the bus stops at Hafnarfjörður and Garðabær en route to the city. Its first stop in Reykjavik is the BSÍ Bus Terminal. Free onwards transfers are available to all major hotels, the Youth Hostel, Laugardalur camping area and the domestic airport. For these transfers the driver will ask you to board smaller busses. Two taxi companies also operate from a rank outside the arrivals hall.
Car rental: Hertz, Budget, Europcar and Avis are represented at the airport. Most other major car hire companies have offices in Reykjavik.
Facilities: The small but well-equipped Leifur Eriksson terminal boasts a 24-hour exchange bureau; an executive lounge with phone, fax and internet connections; restaurants; a children's playground; duty free store; coin and card operated telephones; baby-changing facilities; and an information desk. The terminal is designed for easy access for the disabled.
Parking: Secure, guarded long and short-term parking is available.
